they were winning the war, marching up the eastern seaboard, destroying city after city. earned down the white house, next up baltimore. as they came into the chesapeake bay, the armada of warships as far as the eye can see, it was looking grim. fort mchenry standing right there. general armistead was in charge of fort mckendry. he had a large american flag commissioned to fly in front of the fort. the admiral in charge of the british fleet was offended and said, take that flag down, you have until dusk to take the flag down. if you do not, we will reduce you -- is -- reduce you to ashes. there was a young amateur poet on board all francis scott key, sent to try to obtain the release of an american edition held captive. he overheard the british plan. he mourned as dusk approached, mourned for his fledgling young nation. as the sun fell, the bombardment started. bombs bursting in air, so much debris he strained trying to see, but the flag was still there. he could not see a thing all night long. at the crack of dawn he ran out and looked, straining his eyes. all he could s